Absolute Regression

As I returned to my residence, an entirely unexpected person was waiting for me.

In the spot where Blood Heaven Blade Demon had waited, the One-Slash Sword Supreme was sitting.

Surprisingly, she even had a table set with drinks.

“Second Young Master, you’ve worked hard today. Have a drink.”

“Gladly, senior.”

I sat down in front of the One-Slash Sword Supreme. Though I smiled comfortably as I did with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, inwardly, I was tense.

“I heard you don’t drink.”

“This drink isn’t for me; it’s for you, Young Master.”

“Thank you.”

Without hesitation, I drank it.

“What if the drink had been poisoned? Why didn’t you check before drinking?”

“I didn’t check, but I took precautions.”

“How?”

I spat out the Blood Poison Pearl I had in my mouth. Not only does it prevent poisoning, but holding it in my mouth neutralizes the poison in the drink.

“When did you do this?”

“I slipped it in earlier when I greeted you.”

“How did you manage not to show any signs even with a detoxifying pearl in your mouth?”

“It’s a top-grade detoxifying pearl, so it’s very small. I also trained to speak without revealing it.”

Admiration briefly crossed the One-Slash Sword Supreme’s face.

“Forgive me for saying this, but I know you don’t have good feelings toward me. In such a situation, how could I drink the liquor you offered without precautions?”

Since I was honest about my use of the Blood Poison Pearl, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she confirmed something.

“Did you also use the detoxifying pearl when the Blood Heaven Blade Demon offered you a drink?”

“No, I didn’t.”

For a moment, her expression hardened.

“You trust the Blood Heaven Blade Demon but not me?”

“I had gone through many experiences with him before drinking that first cup.”

“We’ve had experiences too, haven’t we?”

“No, we haven’t.”

At my firm reply, the One-Slash Sword Supreme protested.

“I was the one who repeatedly recommended Jangho.”

“You recommended Jangho, but it was only to prevent me from forming a connection with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. Was that really a choice made for my sake?”

I didn’t just press on the disappointed One-Slash Sword Supreme.

“I want to create many experiences with you, senior. So, I would like to drink the liquor you offer without a detoxifying pearl.”

“Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“Why wouldn’t I mean it?”

“Because you already have the Blood Heaven Blade Demon in your heart, don’t you?”

“If you were in my position, who would you want in your heart?”

As if to say that she was the one, I drank the liquor without the detoxifying pearl. Seeing my action of trusting her, the One-Slash Sword Supreme’s expression softened.

She was someone who refused to be compared to Blood Heaven Blade Demon. She had the pride to believe that if there was a choice between the two, I would naturally choose her. Of course, she also wasn’t someone who would do something like poison the drink, at least as long as she isn’t the Cult Leader.

“Second Young Master.”

“Yes.”

“Tell me what you want.”

“Please help me become the successor. But help me without the condition of severing ties with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon. That’s all I ask.”

“Second Young Master, you should only expect unconditional help from your parents.”

Declining my request, the One-Slash Sword Supreme stood up. As she was about to leave, she seemed to remember something and asked,

“Is it true that you gave the Blood Heaven Blade Demon a birthday present?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes wavered. Though she asked as if it just occurred to her, this was clearly for this reason that she came here personally, just to confirm this rumor.

“May I ask what you gave him?”

I picked up the Blood Poison Pearl from the table.

“I gave him this.”

“You gave him something precious.”

“I received something precious, too.”

The One-Slash Sword Supreme seemed to contemplate what to say but ended up saying nothing.

“I will have a drink at Flowing Wind Tavern later. If you feel like it, please join me.”

Without a response, she left.

* * *

When I returned to my residence to change clothes, another guest was there.

Surprisingly, my father was waiting in the yard. Following the two Demon Supremes, now my father. If I had to title today, it would be ‘A Day of Meetings with Giants.’

“What brings you to this humble place?”

“I came to see how you are living.”

It was the first time my father had come to my residence. It was the first time for many things: our first hunt together, our first meal together, and now his first visit to my residence. With my father, there were many firsts.

“Please come inside.”

“Why would I go into a stinky room where a man lives alone?”

“Then I’ll bring out a chair at least.”

“No need. I’ve sat enough today.”

“Indeed. I remember hearing that sitting for too long is the worst for your health. It shortens your life as much as the time you spend sitting. Please don’t sit too long in the council meetings.”

I stood beside my father.

“Do you want to live long?”

“Of course. There are still many things I haven’t tried. I want to try them all before I die.”

I looked at my father.

“What about you, father? Is there anything you want to try besides being the Heavenly Demon?”

“No.”

His response was so firm that I heard it as, “There are too many things to answer.”

“One day, I want to go out into the world with you, Father.”

My father glanced at me.

“I don’t mean to go and fight the Martial Alliance.”

My father chuckled at this joke.

“I just mean to visit places where people live. How about it? Would you like to explore the world with me someday? They say the snowy mountains are so cool in the summer.”

My father gave no reply.

We watched the distant sunset for a while.

“On my way here, I met the One-Slash Sword Supreme. She offered to support me if I sever ties with the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”

I told my father exactly what had happened.

“Who do you want to ally with?”

“Handling the Sword Supreme seems easier, but there’s something endearing about the Blood Heaven Blade Demon.”

“That’s how you end up dead, letting your guard down like that.”

“True, the old man has a knack for making people drop their guard.”

My father knew more about the Blood Heaven Blade Demon than me.

“Why did you give him the Celestial Elixir?”

“I entrusted him with something long ago.”

My father didn’t explain what it was. It was something from their younger days, surely.

“What do you plan to do?”

“I want to keep both of them. Like having a weapon in each hand.”

My father turned to look at me.

“It’s not a vain desire. My instincts tell me that bringing those two rivals together will yield much better results. It might be tough at first, but later it will be easier. That’s what they keep whispering to me.”

“Where does that confidence come from?”

“Maybe it’s the confidence you passed down to me in my blood.”

The sunset peaked, painting both our faces red.

My father suddenly spoke.

“The Sword Supreme is someone with many scars.” (EN : Aren’t everyone filled with scars ? Society is evil !!! More seriously, take care of those around you who suffer emotionally, it can save lives)

I looked at my father, but he said nothing more. It was unclear if he meant to use that fact or to be considerate of her.

“When I first met the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, he told me that he had lived with misfortune all his life, so it was best not to see him often. But these days, I see him as often as I see you.”

I reiterated my determination to bring both of them along.

“Since I have faced misfortune, I will face those scars too.”

* * *

That evening, I went to the Flowing Wind Tavern for a drink.

I had invited both the Blood Heaven Blade Demon and the One-Slash Sword Supreme. I didn’t know who would show up first, or if neither of them would.

“Please try this.”

The owner, Jo Chunbae, brought out a dish and offered it to me. It seemed he had made it especially for me.

“Thank you. Sit down and have a drink with me.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare.”

“Don’t you want to drink with me?”

“Of course not.”

Jo Chunbae took a seat.

I poured him a drink. Jo Chunbae kept murmuring, “Oh my, oh my,” as he accepted it.

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

“No, I must be. How much easier has life become for us thanks to you?”

“Has it gotten better?”

“Absolutely. Ever since the Underworld Pavilion branch opened in this alley, the number of martial artists causing trouble after drinking has dropped significantly. And that’s not all. There are far fewer instances of leaving unpaid tabs.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“We owe it all to you, Young Master.”

“Please continue to keep an eye out, and if there’s anything you think I should know, be sure to tell me.”

“I will.”

Jo Chunbae drank the liquor I poured him and then got up.

At that moment, another person approached and bowed before leaving.

“Thank you, Second Young Master.”

He didn’t say why he was grateful. He must have also benefited from the help of the Underworld Pavilion.

As he hurried back to his seat after his greeting, someone walked toward me and said,

“You’re quite popular.”

It was the Blood Heaven Blade Demon, carrying his large dao on his back. His appearance froze the atmosphere in the tavern. The last time we drank together, it was early, and there were no customers. Today, the place was full.

For them, drinking in the same place as a Demon Supreme wasn’t exactly comfortable.

I stood up and addressed everyone.

“The Demon Supreme here is a man of the highest character. So, don’t worry and enjoy your drinks. Just make sure not to cause any trouble over here.”

My attempt at humor eased the tension.

When I sat down, Blood Heaven Blade Demon grumbled,

“Why do you lie?”

“A kind lie, you know. They paid to come and drink; they shouldn’t have to do it while feeling uncomfortable.”

“If they don’t like it, they can leave.”

“If you’re going to say that, you should give them some money first. Tell them to take the money and drink somewhere else. And compensate the owner for any losses.”

“There you go, acting righteous again.”

“It’s not about acting righteous; it’s just basic decency.”

“And you call yourself a demon?”

“Aren’t demons still people?”

“Listen, Young Master, sometimes I get confused about whether you’re really from the Demonic Cult or the Martial Alliance.”

I didn’t base my identity on being from the Demonic Sect. It was inevitable. In my past life, I left the sect in my youth and wandered the Central Plains for a lifetime.

I met many people back then. Not just during my wandering years, but also while gathering materials for the Great Regression Technique. I encountered all sorts of human beings. I got hurt, felt anger, and learned what true human compassion was.

My life values were formed during that time, so in a way, I could be said to belong neither to the demonic path, the righteous path, nor the unorthodox path.

Eradicating absolute evil and establishing a new Demonic Path was also born out of that experiential background.

I lifted my glass with an excited voice.

“Now, happy birthday. It’s not midnight yet, so the celebration is still valid.”

“Lower your voice.”

Though he acted as if nothing mattered, he seemed burdened by the birthday celebration. Truly, this was the first time I had seen him so embarrassed since we met.

After all, who had ever celebrated like this for him? Sure, he must have received countless formal gifts, but today’s gathering had a different meaning.

“Don’t do anything unnecessary from now on. What’s so good about getting older that it warrants a celebration?”

“We’re just using it as an excuse to drink and have fun.”

“You like drinking more than you let on, Young Master.”

“That’s right. I also raise a few drinking worms in my body. Some rise up when it rains, others when I’m feeling down or troubled. Do you like drinking, sir?”

“I used to like it a lot… but I’ve cut down recently.”

It was at that moment.

A clear voice rang out from behind us.

“But you haven’t quit.”

I turned my head to see the One-Slash Sword Supreme standing a short distance away.

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